Middle East

Dec. 06, 2014 | 10:21 AM (Last updated: December 06, 2014 | 01:08 PM)

Al-Qaeda killed hostage during rescue bid: Hagel

This image made from militant video posted online by militants on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, which has been verified and is consistent with other AP reporting, shows Luke Somers, an American photojournalist born in Britain held hostage by Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen. (AP/militant video)

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An American photojournalist and a South African aid worker held by al-Qaida militants in Yemen have been killed in a failed U.S. rescue attempt, authorities said Saturday.

Yemen's local Al-Qaeda branch, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, posted a video Thursday that showed Somers, threatening to kill him in three days if the United States didn't meet the group's demands, which weren't specified.

The news of the failed rescue comes after a suspected U.S. drone strike in Yemen killed nine alleged Al-Qaeda militants early Saturday, a Yemeni security official said before news of Somers' death.

Later Saturday, tribal leaders said they saw helicopters flying over an area called Wadi Abdan in Shabwa province.

American authorities rarely discuss their drone strike campaign in Yemen.

The U.S. considers Yemen's Al-Qaeda branch to be the world's most dangerous arm of the group as it has been linked to several failed attacks on the U.S. homeland.

Kirby did not elaborate on the joint U.S-Yemeni operation to free Somers, saying details remained classified.

Somers, a Briton and four others had been moved days earlier.

Fuad Al Kadas, who called Somers one of his best friends, said Somers spent time in Egypt before finding work in Yemen.